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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - 1 Timothy 3:15 - 3:15
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
But if I tarry long (ean de bradunō). Condition of third class with ean and the present active subjunctive of bradunō, old verb, to be slow (usually intransitive), from bradus (slow, dull, Luk 24:25), in N.T. only here and 2Pe 3:9.
That thou mayest know (hina eidēis). Final clause with hina and second perfect active subjunctive of oida, to know.
How men ought (pōs dei). “How it is necessary for thee” (supply se more naturally than tina, any one). Indirect question.
To behave themselves (anastrephesthai). Present middle (direct) infinitive of anastrephō, old verb, to turn up and down. See note on 2Co 1:12; Eph 2:3.
In the house of God (en oikōi theou). Probably here “household of God,” that is “the family of God” rather than “the house (or temple) of God.” Christians as yet had no separate houses of worship and oikos commonly means “household.” Christians are the naos (sanctuary) of God (1Co 3:16.; 2Co 6:16), and Paul calls them oikeioi tou theou (Eph 2:19) “members of God’s family.” It is conduct as members of God’s family (oikos) that Paul has in mind.
Which (hētis). “Which very house of God,” agreeing (feminine) with the predicate word ekklēsia (church).
The church of the living God (ekklēsia theou zōntos). Probably here the general church or kingdom as in Colossians and Ephesians, though the local church in 1Ti 3:5.
The pillar and ground of the truth (stulos kai hedraiōma tēs alētheias). Paul changes the metaphor again as he often does. Those words are in apposition to ekklēsia and oikos. On stulos, old word for pillar, see note on Gal 2:9; Rev 3:12 (only other N.T. examples). Hedraiōma, late and rare word (from hedraioō, to make stable) occurs here first and only in ecclesiastical writers later. Probably it means stay or support rather than foundation or ground. See 1Co 1:23; 2Ti 2:19 for similar idea. See also Mat 16:18.